Partying, drinking, and making poor decisions lead to a tragic end. Virginia Beach students in 6th through 8th grade are invited to become junior detectives and help solve the mystery of the 11th Annual Youth Doing Awesome Things Lock-In. From 9:30 p.m., Friday, December 9, 2011 to 7:00 a.m. Saturday, December 10, 2011, the young detectives will canvas the scene of the crime and attempt to figure out the identity of the criminal while participating in interactive sessions. The sessions will address the dangers and consequences of negative decisions, drinking, driving, and other issues young teens may face today. The students must solve the mystery by speaking to the suspects and searching for clues! While interrogating the suspects, junior detectives will see into the suspects’ pasts and how drugs, tobacco, negative decisions, and bad behavior interrupted their lives as youths.

This year’s theme is “Got a Clue?” In addition to recreational periods, snacks, and prizes, the junior detectives will be exercising their Sherlock Holmes-like skills with clues provided by characters of the popular board game, “Clue.” Their help is needed to figure out the perpetrator in this mystery. Junior detectives will be assigned to a task force and will participate in teambuilding exercises to ensure searching efforts. They will also receive a t-shirt and notepad to enhance their detective work. Can they solve the mystery before the perpetrator makes another move?

The Lock-In costs only $5 and is coordinated by the Mayor’s Youth Leaders in Action in partnership with Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation and the Virginia Beach Youth Opportunities Office. Registration forms are available at all Virginia Beach Recreation Centers and are also posted online at www.vbgov.com/yoo. Registration is required by November 27, 2011.

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation’s vision is a balanced, sustainable and value-focused system of parks, recreation and public spaces that creates a sense of community. We are accredited by CAPRA, the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association. For more information, call (757) 385-1100 (TTY: 711 Virginia Relay), visit VBgov.com/parks or sign up for our email newsletters at VBgov.com/newsletters.

The Youth Opportunities Office promotes positive youth development for all Virginia Beach youth birth to 21 years of age through collaboration and partnerships, education and training, awareness, youth civic engagement, community involvement and investment. For more information, call (757) 385-0464 (TTY: 711 Virginia Relay), or visit www.VBgov.com/yoo.